Striping or patterning attachment for circular-knitting machines



Feb. 24. 19.25.- 1,527,417

' W. LACEY' STR-IPIHG on PATTERNING ATTACHMENT FOR CIRCULAR KNITTING MACHINES Filed May 21, 1924 Patented Feb. 24, 1925.

UNITED STATES WILLIAM LACEY, F NOTTINGHAM, ENGLAND.

PATEVNT OFFICE.

STRIPING 0R PATTERNING ATTACHMENT FOR CIRCULAR-KNITTING MACHINES.

Application filed May 21,

' L mechanism comprising a series of dependent thread guides which are adapted to supply ornamenting threads to the needles. and in which the said dependent thread guides are formed with inner projections. and a cen tral pattern cam which is adapted to act on said projections and is raised and lowered in order to put the dependent thread guides into and out of action in succession. is employed in order to produce the different patterned effects required.

According to this invention, the central pattern cam. is disposed so that itcan be actuated from the centre of the machine, and thus permit of the dependent thread guides being disposed all round the machine without a gap or break, that is, one to every individual needle if desired, whereby horizontal stripes can be produced for example by bringing them all into action simultaneously, alternatively with vertical stripes which are produced by letting a certain proportion of the guides remain in action, and better means are provided for supporting the lower ends of said guides.

Referring to the accompanying drawings.

Fig. 1 is'a vertical section showing a striping or patterning attachment constructed according to my invention.

Fig. 2 is a plan showing one half of the guide supporting mechanism.

Like letters indicate lik' partsthroughout the drawings. v H

In carrying out this invention, the )lGtld which carries the dependent thread guides A, is comprised of a fixed outer casing B which is supported from above, and this casing carries the dial C in which the upper ends of the thread guides A are placed, and also the radial tricks or bladesd), which are provided for supporting the said guides at a lower point.

These blades D are punched out of sheet metal integrally with a foot D the latter are cast into a soft metal annulus R, and

1924. Serial No. 714,927.

the latter is made in two halves so that it can be moreconveniently removed from the casing B and replaced. As shown the blades 1 B described are made tapering in plan their outer ends being the thickest in order to provide parallel spaces'between them for the thread-guides A to work in.

With this construction. a separate and distinqt guide which is independently operated can be provided in connection with every consecutive needle where required without difiicultv. as the construction makes-up 1n strength for the necessary reduction in the thickness of the thread-guides A and supporting blades D in these circumstances.

Mounted concentrically in the fixed casing B. are two concentric tubular shafts. one

E of which is disposed within the other'F,

and within the inner one E of the two shafts described. is disposed a central shaft G which may be solid. This central shaft G which is fixed; is retained in position by securing its upper end to a bracket G'which is connected to or forms part of the main fixed framing.

The outer one F of the two hollow shafts carries the main cam H for moving the thread-guides A outwards, and also the pattern cam J for delaying their return movement, and said shaft F is driven so as to impart rotary motion to the two cams H and J described. by connecting it to the main driving shaft of the machine, preferably by.

means of toothed gearing of any suitable description, the last member K of which is secured to the upper end of the outer tubular shaft F as shown. 7

I At the point where the central pattern cam J is situatedon the outer tubular shaft F. the latter is provided with vertical slots F and pins L disposed in holes provided for them in the pattern cam J, are carried, through the said slots F in the outer tubular shaft F, into holes in the inner tubular shaft E.

tern cam J are by this arrangement both* keyed to and must rotate with the'outer tubular shaft F, but it permits of the pattern E, which is carried up above the upper end of the outer tubular shaft F, with a collar E formed with an annular recessin which The inner tubular shaft E did the patpins M in the forked inner end of a controlling lever M are adapted to engage, and employing pattern chain mechanism for imparting the required movements to said lever M which are necessary to regulate the height of the pattern cam J from time to time, in order to produce the desired pattern or effect in the work.

The dial N which carries the radial instruments O for acting on the lower ends of the thread guides A described, is carried on the lower end of the fixed central shaft G previously referred to, whilst the dial cam P in connection therewith is secured to the lower end of the same hollow shaft F, as the other cams H and J. \Vhen a dial cam is employed which is adjustable or is formed with an adjustable part, this adjustment may be effected through the intermediary of the inner hollow shaft E, the lower end of which may for this purpose be connected to the adjustable part of the dial cam.

With the arrangement described, the neeessity for the usual fork member which is employed, to act directly upon the pattern cam J in order to raise and lower it, and which member must work through a gap provided for it by the omission of a certain number of the thread guides A, is obviated. The said gap can consequently be filled-in, a thread guide A can be provided for every needle in the machine, and horizontal stripes and patterns which are continuous all round a hose or half -hose can consequently be produced.

Vhat- I claim as my invention and desire to secure b Letters Patent is 1. In a clrcular knitting machine, a series of thread guides, a rotary tubular shaft, operatingeams for the thread guides rotating with the tubular shaft, a longitudinally slidable shaft arranged inside the tubular shaft, and a pattern cam secured on the said slidable shaft.

2. In a circular knitting machine a series of thread guides, a rotary tubular shaft, a longitudinally slidable shaft arranged inside the tubular shaft, operating cams for the thread guides rotating with the tubular shaft, a pattern cam secured on the slidablc shaft, and means for supporting the lower parts of the thread guides comprising a nonslidable annulus, and a series of blades carried by the said annulus and arranged be- 

